Mlb Odds: Rays-Yankees Prediction, Odds and Pick - 8/17/2022

The New York Yankees are set to host the Tampa Bay Rays today in the final matchup of a three-game set at Yankee Stadium. With that said, it’s a good time to check out our MLB odds series, which includes our Rays-Yankees prediction and pick we have laid out below.

A return to the Bronx hasn't done anything to stop the Yankees' downward spiral, with back-to-back defeats at the hands of the Rays bringing New York to a total of 11 losses in its last 13 games. The Yankees still lead Tampa Bay by nine games for the American League East lead, but if their tailspin continues much longer, the division title hunt could become a source of intrigue during the final month of the season.

The Rays enter today's contest at 62-53, with a 6-4 record over their last 10 games. If the season ended today, they would secure the American League's second wild-card spot. However, they are two games or less ahead of the first three teams that are currently on the outside looking in.

Here are the Rays-Yankees MLB odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

MLB Odds: Rays-Yankees Odds

Tampa Bay Rays: +1.5 (-166)

New York Yankees: -1.5 (+138)

Over: 8.5 (-108)

Under: 8.5 (-112)

Why The Rays Could Cover The Spread

While it might be easy to be persuaded that a Yankees team that has been among the most dominant in baseball for most of the season is bound to get back on track eventually, it's impossible to ignore their recent struggles. If this were a rough stretch of a couple of weeks, that would be one thing. A 30-game span in which they are eight games below .500 is another. While the Yankees' full-season track record shows they are better than who they have been lately, they're far from the clearcut American League favorite they were a few months ago. It's also worth noting that, in addition to New York being tied for the fifth-worst record in baseball over the last 30 games, the Rays are five games above .500 during this same stretch.

The relief staff has been a source of optimism for the Yankees all season, with their 2.97 bullpen ERA ranking second in the MLB, but this group will be without one of its most vital pieces in the immediate future. Closer Clay Holmes, who has a 2.39 ERA and 17 saves on the year, is expected to miss some time with a back issue. This loss seems to negate the slight difference between two quality relief staff, with Tampa Bay ranking seventh in the MLB with a 3.34 bullpen ERA.